Communication is a process in which people collectively create and regulate their social realities. The idea of process implies events unfolding over times. Communication is a joint effort in which the group members collectively regulate each other's behavior to conform to expectations. We do this through feedback that serves to sanction deviant behavior and reward conformity. (Jensen & Chilberg, 1991, p.40).
We cannot not communicate. We are always communicating something to other people, even when we are not speaking. (Cathcart & Samvour, 1998, p.269).
The role of a team member.
The team member has understanding as the goal of his speaking and listening. It is impossible to arrive at consensus unless each member understands what the others are talking about. For this reason, the speaker in a small group will strive to avoid partisan, persuasive, and emotion-laden statements. He will not attempt to overpower the group with his erudition or zeal but will express his ideas clearly so they can be easily understood with minimal effort by his listeners. (Gerald, 1996, p.66).
A member may be an opinion-leader by virtue of his expertise or his sociometric position. A member may also be an opinion-leader by virtue of his contacts with other groups which may be considered more important or less accessible. A member may become an opinion-leader if he has in the past made many decisions which the group approved as correct. Other members may over-estimate the importance of an opinion-leader in any of these respects. (Klein, 1963, p. 91).
During the initial phase, group discussion centers on issues of inclusion and dependency as members attempt to identify behaviors acceptable to the leader and other group members. (Bennis & Shepard, 1956; Bion, 1961; Mann, Gibbard, & Hartman, 1967). Thus, early meetings represent a time of anxiety and uncertainty for members (Bion, 1961; Slater, 1966; Stock & Thelen, 1958).